Dossier on Pope Benedict XVI for the Month of October

Description

This dossier includes a compilation of Pope Benedict's letters, addresses and messages for the month of October with commentary from Agenzia Fides.

Larger Work

Fides Dossier

Publisher & Date

Agenzia Fides, October 2007

Instrumentum mensis Octobris pro lectura Magisterii Summi Pontifici Benedicti XVI pro evangelizatione in terris missionum

Annus III – Numerus X, October A.D. MMVII

On October 5th the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI granted an audience to the members of the International Theological Commission on the occasion of the Commission's plenary session. In his address the Pope dwelt on the issue of natural moral law and he said "this nature of this theme is not exclusively or principally confessional, although doctrine on natural moral law is fully illuminated and developed in the light of Christian revelation and the full realisation of man in the mystery of Christ". On his visit to the Pontifical Institute for Sacred Music the Pontiff encouraged the Institute to offer its own contribution towards "the 'aggiornamento' of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich to suit our times".

At the end of his General Audience on 17 October, Pope Benedict XVI announced the second Consistory of his pontificate, to he held on 24 and 25 November, during which he will appoint new cardinals. Addressing the Catholic Bishops of Congo, received in audience on the occasion of their five yearly ad limina visit, the Holy Father urged them "to give special attention to the initial and on-going Christian formation of the laity that they may understand and live the Christian mystery, sustained by the reading of the Scripture and sacramental life". On Sunday 21 October, World Mission Sunday, Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to Naples, a city "where healthy forces, good, culturally people with a profound sense of the family are not lacking", but where "there are many situations of poverty, a scarcity of housing, unemployment or underemployment, lack of future prospects", an in addition the sad phenomenon of violence, which "unfortunately tends to become a widespread mentality". At the end of the Mass celebrated in the Piazza del Plebiscito, before reciting the Angelus prayer, the Pope mentioned World Mission Sunday and encouraged those present to pray "especially for missionaries . . . we must not fail to give spiritual and material support to those working on the frontiers of mission". During his short visit the Pope also addressed leaders of delegations taking part in the International Meeting for Peace, promoted by the S. Egidio Community, held in Naples 21 to 23 October on the theme: "For a world without violence — Religions and Cultures in Dialogue". Lastly in October, of particular importance was the address given by Benedict XVI when he received participants at the International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists, in which he reminded them of their "role" to educate patients: "The pharmacist must invite each person to advance humanity, so that every being may be protected from the moment of conception until natural death, and that medicines may fulfil properly their therapeutic role".

• SYNTHESIS INTERVENTUUM

2 October 2007 — Letter to Prof. Mario Agnes, former Editor of the Osservatore Romano newspaper
3 October 2007 — General Audience
5 October 2007 — Audience to plenary session of the International Theological Commission
7 October 2007 — Angelus
8 October 2007 — Audience to the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of St Peter
10 October 2007 — General Audience
13 October 2007 — Visit to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music
14 October 2007 — Angelus
17 October 2007 — General Audience
17 October 2007 — Announcement of the Consistory
19 October 2007 — Message in occasion of the 45th Italian Catholic Social Week
19 October 2007 — Audience to Bishops of the Republic of Congo on ad limina visit
21 October 2007 — Benedict XVI a Naples — Homily at Mass in Piazza del Plebiscito
21 October 2007 — Benedict XVI a Naples — Angelus
21 October 2007 — Benedict XVI a Naples — Address at the International Meeting for Peace
24 October 2007 — General Audience
25 October 2007 — Address for the inauguration of new academic year of Pontifical Universities
26 October 2007 — Audience to Bishops of Gabon on ad limina visit
27 October 2007 — Letter to the new editor of the Osservatore Romano Prof. Giovanni Maria Vian
27 October 2007 — Address after a concert by Bavarian Radio Symphonic Orchestra and Choir
28 October 2007 — Angelus
29 October 2007 — Audience to participants at the International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists
31 October 2007 — General Audience

2 October 2007 — Letter to Prof. Mario Agnes, former editor of the Osservatore Romano newspaper

VATICAN — The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI expresses "sentiments of sincere consideration and deep gratitude" to Prof. Mario Agnes for his long years of service as Director of the Osservatore Romano Vatican newspaper — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 29 September conferred on Professor Mario Agnes the title of Emeritus Director of the Osservatore Romano and called to succeed him Professor Giovanni Maria Vian. On the same day the Holy Father appointed Carlo Di Cicco, Vice Director of the Osservatore Romano. In a letter to Prof. Agnes the Holy Father expressed deep gratitude "great esteem and sincere affection . . . for years of service in a position of great responsibility as Director of the Osservatore Romano".

"I feel bound to express my deep appreciation for the gifts of intelligence and heart you have shown in carrying out your delicate and demanding duties" the Pope writes in the Letter dated 20 August 2007 and made public on September 29. Confirming the opinion expressed by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI said "your professional competence and especially your consistent Christian commitment, your love for the Church and your exemplary loyalty to the Magisterium". Retracing the different stages in his service to the Church the Holy Father said that to Prof. Agnes that in all these years "you have always shown particular interest for the written communication of the Christian Message".

At the end of this precious service to the Popes and the Church, the Holy Father expressed " sentiments of sincere consideration and deep gratitude" towards Prof. Agnes. "It comes spontaneously to think of the fatigue of these years to fulfil your daily duties and not to disappoint your superiors. It is a duty to recognise the efforts made to render the staff of the Osservatore Romano a community of work worthy of the noble traditions inherited. For all these reasons and as a sign of my personal appreciation I have included you among my Gentiluomini, thus making you a stable member of the Papal Family." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2007; righe 23, parole 329)

See the Pope's Letter in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20071027_osservatore-romano_en.html

3 October 2007 — General Audience

VATICAN — Saint Cyril of Alexandria, "tireless and steadfast witness" of Jesus Christ, Incarnate Word of God: General Audience Pope Benedict XVI continues his teaching on the Apostolic Fathers

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — This morning Pope Benedict XVI arrived from Castel Gandolfo to take up residence again in the Vatican now that the Summer is over. Then, during the weekly Audience in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father dwelt on the figure of Saint Cyril of Alexandria. "Connected with the Christological controversy which led to the Council of Ephesus in 431 and last important representative of the Alexandrian tradition in the Greek east, Cyril was later known as 'custodian of exactness' — meaning custodian of the truth faith — and indeed even 'seal of the Fathers', the Pope said in his address. Cyril in fact made constant reference to earlier ecclesiastical authors, to demonstrate the continuity of his theology with the tradition of the Church, "in which he recognised the guarantee of continuity with the Apostles and with Christ himself ".

Venerated as a saint in the east and in the west, Cyril in 1882 was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII. We know little about his life before his election to the see of Alexandria. Nephew of Theophilus, Cyril, probably born in Alexandria of Egypt between 370 and 380, received a good cultural and theological education. On the death of his uncle Theophilus in 412, Cyril, still young, was elected Bishop of Alexandria, and he governed with great energy for thirty two years. In 417 or 418, "the Bishop of Alexandria demonstrated his realism by healing the breach in communion with Constantinople, which had happened in 406 as a consequence of the deposition of Chrysostom" Pope Benedict XVI recalled . However the old dispute with the see of Constantinople flared up again in 428, with the election to that see of Nestorius, who "in his preaching preferred for Mary the title of 'Mother of Christ' (Christotòkos), rather than the one — already dear to popular devotion — "Mother of God (Theotòkos). The reason for the choice of Bishop Nestorius was his support for Antiochian type of Christology, which, to safeguard the importance of Christ's humanity, ended up affirming the division from divinity".

Cyril — at the time the most important exponent of Alexandrian Christology, which instead laid emphasis on the unity of Christ's person — reacted firmly, addressing even a few letters to Nestorius, recalling the "Bishop's duty to preserve the faith of the People of God" illustrating his Christological faith with great clarity: "We affirm that different are the natures united in real unity, but from both comes only one Christ and Son, not that because of the unity the difference of the natures is eliminated, but rather because divinity and humanity, united in unspeakable and inennarrable unity, produced for us One Lord and Christ and Son ". The Bishop of Alexandria had Nestorius repeatedly condemned, also by the 3rd ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431. The gathering, held with alternating vicissitudes, concluded with the first great triumph of devotion to Mary and with the exile of the Bishop of Constantinople who refused to recognise the Blessed Virgin with the title "Mother of God". Cyril managed however in 433 to reach a theological formula of compromise and reconciliation with the Antiochians. "And this too is significant — the Pontiff underlined — on the one hand there is clarity of the doctrine of the faith but on the other an intense quest for unity and reconciliation". Cyril sought with every means to defend and explain his theological position until his death on 27 June 444.

Cyril left a great number of writings, already diffused and even translated in various Latin and eastern translations during his life, which "are of primary importance for the history of Christianity": commentaries on many books of the Old and New Testaments, many doctrinal works to defend the Trinitarian faith and in response to anti-Christian controversy . "Of Jesus Christ, incarnate Word of God, Saint Cyril of Alexandria was a tireless and steadfast witness — the Holy Father concluded — underlining above all His unity . . . faith in Jesus Logos born of the Father and well rooted in history because, as Saint Cyril affirms, this Jesus came into time with his birth from Mary the Theotòkos, and as he has promised is with us always. This is important: God is eternal, he was born of a woman and is with us day after day. In this trust we live, in this trust we find the path of our life." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2007 — righe 49, parole 717)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7847

5 October 2007 — Audience to plenary session of International Theological Commission

VATICAN — "When at stake there are the fundamental demands of the dignity of the human person, of human life, of the institution of the family, the equity of social order, in other words fundamental human rights, no man made law can overturn the norms the Creator has inscribed on the human heart": Pope Benedict XVI addresses International Theological Commission - Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — Receiving in Audience in the Vatican in the late morning of 5 October the Members of the International Theological Commission on the occasion of the Commission's plenary session, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI dwelt on the theme of natural moral law. At the invitation of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, various university centres and associations are promoting symposiums or study days "to identify lines and convergence in view of a better constructive and effective understanding of the doctrine of natural moral law". As the Holy Father explained, "this is not an exclusively or prevailingly a confessional matter, although the doctrine of moral natural law is illuminated and fully developed in the light of Christian revelation and the realisation of man in the mystery of Christ."

After citing the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" with regard to the central contents of the doctrine of natural law, the Holy Father underlined that "with this doctrine two essential finalities are reached: on the one hand, we understand that the moral content of the Christian faith does not constitute an imposition dictated from outside the human conscience, instead it is a norm which has its foundation in human nature itself; on the other, starting with natural law in itself accessible to all rational creatures, we can lay the basis for entering into dialogue with all people of goodwill and, more in general, with secular civil society." Nevertheless civil society today appears prey to "a situation of dismay and confusion: the original evidence of the foundations of the human being and human moral behaviour as been lost and the doctrine of natural moral law clashes with other ideas which are the exact negation of it . . . no few thinkers today appear to be dominated by a positivist idea of law. They think that the ultimate source of civil law is humanity, or society, or the majority. The problem is not therefore the quest for good, but rather the quest for power, or better, for the balance of power. At the root of this tendency is moral relativism, in which some see even one of the principal conditions of democracy, because relativism is thought to guarantee tolerance and reciprocal respect among people. However if this were so the majority of a movement would become the ultimate source of law". And history has shown that majorities also can be mistaken.

The Holy Father continued: "When at stake there are the fundamental demands of the dignity of the human person, of human life, of the institution of the family, the equity of social order, in other words fundamental human rights, no man made law can overturn the norms the Creator inscribed on the human heart without society itself being dramatically affected in what constitutes its basis which cannot be renounced. Natural law in this way becomes the real guarantee offered to every person to live freely and respected in his dignity and protected from all ideological manipulation and from any abuse or bullying on the part of the stronger. No one can ignore this warning. If due to a tragic darkening of the collective conscience, scepticism and ethic relativism succeed in cancelling the founding principles of natural moral law, democratic order itself would be radically wounded at its roots".

Concluding his address, Benedict XVI called for a mobilisation of consciences of men and women of good will, Christians and members of other religions, "that together and concretely they may work to create in culture, in civil society and in politics, the necessary conditions for full awareness of the inalienable value of natural moral law. On respect for this law depends in fact the advance of individuals and society in conformity with proper reasoning which is participation in the eternal Reason of God." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2007; righe 44, parole 622)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7976

7 October 2007 — Angelus

VATICAN — "The proclamation of the Gospel is still the first service that the Church owes humanity, to offer Christ's salvation to every man and woman of our day and to orient cultural, social and moral changes in a Christian sense" says Pope Benedict XVI at the midday Angelus prayer recalling the 50th anniversary of the Fide Donum Encyclical — He calls on Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "This first Sunday in October offers us to motives for prayer and reflection: the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary, which falls today, and missionary commitment to which this month is dedicated in a special way". Pope Benedict XVI said this on Sunday October 7 from his study window overlooking St Peter's Square in his reflection before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with the crowds gathered to receive his blessing.

"The Rosary is the means given us by the Blessed Virgin Mary to contemplate Jesus so that meditating his life, we make love him and follow him ever more faithfully" the Pope said referring to the traditional image of Our Lady Queen of the Rosary as with one arm she hold the Infant Jesus and with the other she gives the rosary beads to Saint Dominic. The Rosary is the "task Our Lady left us in her various apparitions" Benedict said, mentioning in particular the apparitions at Fatima, 90 years ago, when Mary asked the three shepherd children to recite the rosary every day to obtain the end of the war. "Let us too respond to Our Lady's maternal request — the Pope said — committing ourselves to reciting with faith the Rosary for peace in families, in nations and all over the world."

"However we know that true peace spreads where people and institutions accept the Gospel— Pope Benedict XVI continued -. The month of October reminds us of this fundamental truth by means of special animation to foster a lively spirit of mission in every community and to sustain the work of priests, men and women religious and lay people, on the frontiers of the Church's mission. With special care we prepare to celebrated on 21 October, World Mission Sunday which will have as its theme: "All the Churches for all the World". The proclamation of the Gospel is still the first service the Church owes to humanity to offer Christ's salvation to the men and women of our day, in many ways humiliated and oppressed, and to orient in a Christian sense the present cultural, social and moral changes happening today. This year another reason prompts new missionary effort: the 50th anniversary of the Fidei donum encyclical of the Servant of God, Pope Pius XII, who promoted and encouraged cooperation among the Churches for mission ad gentes. I wish to recall that 150 years ago five priests and a layman from the Don Mazza Institute in Verona set out for Africa, to be precise for what is present day Sudan. One of them was Daniele Comboni, future Bishop of central Africa and patron saint of those peoples, whose feast day is October 10".

The Pope then entrusted all missionaries to the intercession of Saint Daniele Comboni, all missionary saints and blessed and to the protection of Our Lady of the Rosary. "May Mary help us remember that every Christian is called to be an announcer of the Gospel with word and lifestyle".

After the Angelus prayer the Pope greeted young people who animated the 4th Missione di Roma called "Gesù al centro". "I congratulate you dear friends for carrying the news of God's love through the streets, and to some of the city's hospitals and schools — the Pope said -. Missionary experience is part of Christian formation and it is important for adolescents and young people to have this personal experience. Continue to bear witness to the Gospel every day and offer your generous participation in the next missionary initiatives organised by the diocese of Rome." He also greeted children from all over Lazio taking part in "Terza Festa dello Sportivo" on the theme "Sport, Amicizia, Preghiera", and to the Associazione Fiaba, which strives to remove architectural barriers. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2007 — righe 43, parole 630)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20071007_en.html

8 October 2007 — Audience with the Chapter of St Peter's Papal Basilica

VATICAN — Benedict XVI receives Chapter of St Peter's Papal Basilica in the Vatican: "May St Peter's Basilica be truly a place of prayer, adoration and praise to the Lord" Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "I rely heavily on you and on your ministry that St Peter's Basilica may truly be a place of prayer, adoration and praise to the Lord — Pope Benedict XVI said in his address to the Chapter of St Peter's. In this sacred place visited every day by thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world, more than elsewhere it is necessary to have close to the tomb of Peter a stable community of prayer to guarantee continuity with tradition and at the same time intercede for the Pope's intentions in the today of the Church and the world". Receiving in audience the members of the Chapter of St Peter's Papal Basilica in the Vatican in the late morning on 8 October, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI recalled "the uninterrupted presence of praying clergy in the Vatican Basilica since the days of Saint Gregory the Great: a continual presence, purposely discreet, but faithful and persevering".

The Chapter dates to 1053, with Pope Leo IX, and under the pontificate of Eugene IV it acquired the characteristics of a well structured, autonomous community. "There has been, in substance, a long gradual passage from the monastic structure, placed at the service of the Basilica, to the present canonical structure" said Benedict XVI mentioning numerous fields of commitment in which the Chapter has been involved since it was established: liturgical, administrative, pastoral, charity work . . . Since the 11th century, 11 of the Popes have been Vatican Chapter members. Since the 16th century the history of the Vatican Chapter has been interwoven with that of the Fabbrica di San Pietro (St Peter's Building and Maintenance Body), as the latter developed. Since the last decades of the last century the Chapter's activity "has gradually oriented itself towards the rediscovery of its original functions, consisting above all in the ministry of prayer". In this regard the Holy Father recalled the contribution expected of the Vatican Chapter: "to recall with your prayerful presence at the tomb of Peter that nothing must be put before God; that the Church is oriented entirely towards Him, to his glory; that the primacy of Peter is at the service of the unity of the Church, and that the Church, in turn, is at the service of the Most Holy Trinity's plan for salvation". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2007; righe 24, parole 375)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071008_capitolo-vaticano_en.html

10 October 2007 — General Audience

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI dedicates his weekly catechesis to the figure of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, who "consecrated his life to defending faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ, Son of God and God as the Father, who generated him from all eternity" Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "To oppose Aryans who considered the Son of God Jesus a creature, albeit excellent, but only a creature, Hilary consecrated his whole life to defending faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God as the Father, who generated Him from all eternity". Pope Benedict XVI said this during his general audience on Wednesday 10 October: his catechesis was in fact dedicated to the presentation of one of the greatest Church Fathers of the West, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, who lived in the 4th century.

Although we have little information on his life, from ancient sources we learn that Hilary was born in Poitiers around the year 310, from a well to do family, who provided him with a sound literary education. The environment in which he grew up was probably not Christian. Baptised around the year 345, he was elected bishop of his own town from 353-354. In the years that followed Hilary wrote his first work "Comment on the Gospel of Matthew", the oldest extant comment in Latin of this Gospel. In 356 Hilary assisted as a Bishop at the Synod of Béziers, in the south of France, dominated by pro-Arian bishops who denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. These "false apostles" asked the emperor Constanz to exile the Bishop of Poitiers. Thus Hilary had to leave Gaul during the Summer of 356. Exiled in Phrygia, today Turkey, Hilary found himself in a religious context dominated by Arianism.

"Here too his concern as a Bishop drove him to work strenuously to re-establish Church unity— said Pope Benedict -, on the basis of the true faith formulated by the Council of Nicea. He started his most important and well known dogmatic work: "De Trinitate" (On the Trinity). In it Hilary exposes his personal journey towards knowledge of God and taking care to demonstrate that Scripture clearly reveals the divinity of the Son and his equality with the Father and not only in the New Testament but in many parts in the Old Testament, in which the mystery of Christ already appears. With the Arians he insists on the truth of the names of Father and Son and develops his Trinitarian theology starting from the formula for Baptism given us by the Lord himself ". In his years of exile Hilary wrote "The Book of the Synods", in which he comments for his brother Bishops of Gaul the confessions of faith and other documents of synods which gathered in the West about the middle of the 4th century. "Always firmly opposed to radical Arians, Saint Hilary showed a conciliatory spirit— the Pope said — which strove to understand those who had not yet arrived helping them with great theological intelligence, to reach full faith in the true divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ."

On returning to his homeland in 360 or 361, Hilary resumed pastoral activity in his Church showing "fortitude in the faith and gentleness in interpersonal relations". In the last years of his life he composed his Treatises on the Psalms, a comment on fifty eight Psalms in which he sees "the transparency of the mystery of Christ and of his Body the Church". Hilary died in 367 and in 1851 Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed him Doctor of the Church.

Summarising the fundamental element of the Bishop's teaching the Holy Father said "Hilary found the starting point for his theological reflection in baptismal faith". At the end of his treaty on the Trinity he asks God to grant that he may always remain faithful to the faith of baptism: "This is a characteristic of the book: reflection becomes prayer and prayer returns to reflection. The whole book is a dialogue with God ".

After greeting visitors in different languages Pope Benedict XVI asked those present to pray for a good outcome of the 10th plenary session of the International Mixed Commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as a whole, taking place in Ravenna, Italy "which is treating a theological theme of particular ecumenical interest: 'Ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church-Ecclesial communion, conciliarity and authority'. I ask you to pray with me that this important meeting may help the journey towards full communion between Catholics and Orthodox Christians, and that soon we may be able to share the Lord's Chalice together." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2007 — righe 49, parole 724)

See the Pope's teaching
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7848

13 October 2007 — Visit to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music

VATICAN — Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music called by Pope Benedict XVI to contribute to "an 'aggiornamento' suited to our times of the precious traditions of which sacred music is rich" Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "I have come gladly to see the completely renovated didactic see of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. My visit inaugurates and blesses the major work of restoration undertaken in recent years" Pope Benedict XVI said when he visited on October 13 the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music where he was welcomed by the Grand Chancellor Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the Rector Mgr. Valentín Miserachs Grau, docents and students, as well as benefactors and guests.

As the Holy Father recalled, the work of renovation undertaken by the Holy See thanks to many benefactors, involved the didactic see and the academic see, at Palazzo dell'Apollinare, as well as a large organ given to Pope Pius XI by M.me Justine Ward in 1932. Congratulating the "the academic corps, united with the Rector, on its activity carried out with a sense of responsibility and appreciated expertise", Benedict XVI recalled the imminent centenary of the Institute's foundation by Saint Pope Pius X in 1911. "Numerous students, who come here from all over the world to be formed the discipline of sacred, are then formators in their respective local Churches — the Holy Father said — And how many there have been in almost a century! I am happy to send affectionate greetings to someone who in his splendid longevity, represents , in a way, the 'historic memory' of the Institute and embodies the many others who have worked here: Maestro Mons. Domenico Bartolucci."

The Pontiff then recalled how Vatican II described Sacred Music "a treasure of inestimable value", and the three characteristics indicated by John Paul II to distinguish liturgical sacred music: holiness, authentic art, universality, it can be proposed to all peoples and all kinds of assemblies. Benedict XVI continued: "In view of this, the ecclesiastical authorities should strive to carefully orient the development of such a demanding type of music, not 'congealing' the treasure, but seeking to insert the heritage of the past in the valid new music of the present to reach a synthesis worthy of its high mission in divine service. I am certain the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with the Congregation for Divine Worship will not fail to offer its contribution for an 'aggiornamento' suited to our times of the precious traditions of which sacred music is rich." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2007, righe 29, parole 416)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071013_musica-sacra_en.html

14 October 2007 — Angelus

VATICAN — The Pope at the Angelus: "leprosy which really disfigures man and society is sin; it is pride and selfishness which generate indifference, hatred and violence in the human heart. This leprosy of the spirit . . . no one can cure except God, who is love" — Appeal for Iraq

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The Gospel parable of Jesus who heals the ten lepers and only one — a Samaritan, a foreigner, comes back to thank him, proclaimed during Mass on 14 October, the 28th Sunday in the Liturgical Year, was the main theme of the reflection given by Pope Benedict XVI from his study window overlooking St Peter's Square before leading the recitation of Angelus prayer with thousands gathered for his blessing. The Pope began by underlining two "two grades of healing" which the parables calls to mind: "the first, the most superficial, involves the body, the other deeper form touches the person intimately in what the Bible calls the 'heart', and then pours out over the whole existence. Complete and radical healing is 'salvation' . . . salvation is much more than health: it is a new, full and everlasting life". The Pope also recalled that Jesus is this parable says: "your faith has saved you ", and he explained: "It is faith which saves man, re-establishing his profound relationship with God, with himself and with others; and faith is expressed in gratitude. Those who, like the healed Samaritan, know how to say thank you, demonstrate that they realise that everything is not due, it is a gift even when it comes through another person or nature, it comes ultimately from God. Faith means opening to God' grace; recognising that everything is a gift, everything is grace".

In the time of Jesus leprosy "was considered 'contagious uncleanness' which demanded ritual purification". The Pope said, " the real leprosy which disfigures man and society is sin; it is pride and selfishness which generate indifference, hatred and violence in the human heart. This leprosy of the spirit which disfigures the face of humanity, no one can cure except God who is Love. By opening the heart to God, a person is converted and is healed inwardly from evil."

Lastly Pope Benedict XVI recalled that Jesus began his public life calling people to conversion and that this call has been repeated by the Blessed Virgin Mary in her apparitions. The Pope said: "Our thoughts for to Fátima where 90 years ago from 13 May to the 13 October Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children: Lucia, Giacinta and Francisco. In live link via radio and television I wish spiritually to be there at the Marian Shrine were Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, presided on my behalf the closing celebrations of such an important anniversary . . . Let us ask Our Lady to intercede that all Christians may receive the gift of true conversion and announce and witness with fidelity and consistency the Gospel message which indicates to humanity the way to authentic peace."

After greeting people in different languages the Pope appealed for peace in Iraq and the release of two priests taken hostage: "Every day there come from Iraq reports of attacks and violence which shake the conscience of those who have at heart the good of the country and peace in the region. Among the reports I learned today that two priests from the Syrian Catholic archdiocese of Mossul have been taken hostage and their lives threatened. I appeal to the captors to release the priests immediately and once again I say that violence never solves tension and I pray to the Lord for their release and for all those suffering from violence and for peace". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2007 — righe 38, parole 553)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20071014_en.html

17 October 2007 — General Audience

VATICAN — Benedict XVI catechesis on St Eusebius of Vercelli: "he governed the diocese with the testimony of his life" — Appeal "to increase efforts to eradicate the causes of poverty and its tragic consequences " Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — St Eusebius of Vercelli, the first Bishop of northern Italy of whom we have reliable information, was the theme of the catechesis given by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI during his Wednesday Audience in St Peter's Square on 17 October. "Born in Sardinia at the beginning of the 4th century, while still a boy he moved with his family to Rome — the Pope recalled  Later he was instituted lector: and became part of the clergy of the City at a time in which the Church was sorely tried by the Arian heresy. The great esteem which grew up around Eusebius explains his election in 345 as Bishop of Vercelli. The new Bishop began immediately intense work of evangelisation in an area still mostly pagan, especially in the rural districts . . . he founded in Vercelli a community of priests, similar to a monastic community. This cenoby gave the clergy of northern Italy an important trait of apostolic holiness and gave rise to famous bishops . . . Well formed in the Nicean faith, Eusebius tirelessly defended the full divinity of Jesus Christ, defined in the Nicean Creed "of the same being with the Father'. For this he joined forces with the great Fathers of the 4th century — above all St Athanasius, the standard bearer of Nicean orthodoxy — against pro-Arian policies of the emperor".

Condemned to exile by the emperor Constance II, who wanted to use religion for political ends, he was confined in Scythopolis in Palestine from 355 to 360, where he founded a cenoby with a small group of disciples, and from there corresponded with his faithful in Piedmont. After 360 he was exiled to Cappadocia and in Tebaide where he suffered grave physical maltreatment. In 361 the new emperor Julian the apostate, put an end to the exile of Eusebius and numerous other bishops, allowing them to resume possession of their sees. In 362 Eusebius participated at the Council of Alexandria, and for ten more years he exercised his ministry as a bishop, building with his city an exemplary relationship.

"The relationship between the Bishop of Vercelli and his city is illuminated above all by testimony in two letters" the Holy Father recalled. In his second Letter written in exile, Eusebius reveals "sentiments of a good shepherd towards his flock . . . with expressions overflowing with affection and love. To be noted first of all the explicit bond which binds the Bishop to the . . . Christian communities which, in the same diocese, had reached a certain degree of consistence and autonomy". Another interesting element highlighted by the Holy Father regarded the Bishop's relationship with his city which "was not limited to the Christians, it extended to those who - although not members of the Church - recognised in some way his spiritual authority and loved this exemplary man." In a Letter written by St Ambrose of Milan to the people of Vercelli in about 394, more than twenty years after the death of Eusebius, the Bishop of Milan "clearly affirms his esteem for Eusebius" which was "based above all on the fact that the Bishop of Vercelli governed the diocese with the testimony of his life . . . First of all — Ambrose writes — the Bishop of Vercelli gathered his clergy in vita communis educating them to observe monastic rules, although they lived in the city. The Bishop and his clergy shared the difficulties of their co-citizens and they did this in their own credible manner cultivating at the same time, a different city, the heavenly City ".

Eusebius then, "lived at the centre of the city as a monk, opening the city to God. This trait took nothing from his exemplary pastoral dynamism. It would appear that he instituted parish priests in Vercelli to ensure ordered and stable ecclesial service, and that he promoted Marian shrines for the conversion of the pagan rural people". Citing the example of Eusebius in guiding the faithful "not to consider the earthly city their stable home, but to strive towards the future City, the heavenly Jerusalem", therefore not bending to the modes of the times, or unjust claims of political power, the Holy Father concluded: "The whole life of Eusebius seems to say, the authentic scale of values comes not from the emperors of yesterday or today, it comes from Jesus Christ, perfect Man, equal to the Father in divinity and yet a human person like us ".

At the end of the audience the Pope recalled International Day to Eradicate Poverty: "Today we mark the World Day to reject poverty recognised by the United Nations with the title International Day to Eradicate Poverty. How many people still live in conditions of extreme poverty! The disparity between rich and poor, even in more economically advanced countries, has become more evident and concerning. This worrying situation challenges the conscience of humanity, because the living conditions of a great number of people are such that they offend the dignity of the human person and consequently undermine, authentic and harmonious progress in the world community. I therefore encourage everyone to increase efforts to eliminate the causes of poverty and its tragic consequences." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2007 — righe 58, parole 839)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7849

17 October 2007 — Announcement of the Consistory

VATICAN — The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI announces Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of his general audience this morning the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI announced that there will be a Consistory on 24 November during which he will appoint new cardinals. The Pope said: "I have the joy of announcing that on 24 November the vigil of the solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe I will hold a Consistory during which, derogating by one unit a limit set by Pope Paul VI, confirmed by my venerable predecessor John Paul II in the constitution Apostolica Universi dominici gregis (cfr n. 33), I will appoint 18 new cardinals, here are their names:

Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Catholic Churches Churches;
Archbishop John Patrick Foley, Pro-Gran Maestro of the Ordine Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem;
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Pontifical Commission and Governatorate of Vatican City State;
Archbishop Paul Joseph Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum;
Archbishop Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, Vicar General for the S.C.V. and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro;
Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity;
Archbishop Raffaele Farina, Archivist and Librarian S.R.C.;
Archbishop Agustín García-Gasco Vicente, Archbishop of Valencia (Spain);
Archbishop Seán Baptist Brady, Archbishop of Armagh (Ireland);
Archbishop Lluís Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain);
Archbishop André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris (France);
Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa (Italy);
Archbishop Théodore-Adrien Sarr, Archbishop of Dakar (Senegal);
Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay (India);
Archbishop Francisco Robles Ortega, Archbishop of Monterrey (Mexico);
Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston (United States of America);
Archbishop Odilio Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo (Brazil);
Archbishop John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi (Kenya).

I also wish to raise to the dignity of Cardinal three venerable Bishops and two deserving ecclesiastics, particularly worthy of merit for their service to the Church:

His Beatitude. Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans;
Archbishop Giovanni Coppa, Apostolic Nuncio;
Archbishop Esteban Karlic, Archbishop emeritus of Paraná (Argentina);
Fr. Urbano Navarrete, S.I., former Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University;
Fr. Umberto Betti, O.F.M., former Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University.

Among these I had wished to include the elderly Bishop Ignacy Jez, of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, in Poland, deserving Bishop Presule, who died suddenly yesterday morning.

Let us pray for the repose of his soul." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/10/2007; righe 38, parole 406)

19 October 2007 — Message on the occasion of the 45th Italian Catholic Social Week

VATICAN — "The daily chronicle reveals that society of our day faces many ethic and social emergencies which can undermine its stability and seriously jeopardise its future" Pope Benedict XVI says in a Message to Italy's 45th Catholic Social Week — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The importance of the theme chosen for the 45th Catholic Social Week being held in Pistoia and Pisa from the 18 to the 21 October — "The common good today: a commitment which comes from afar" — is an opportunity for in depth clarification of the term "common good" to avoid generic and at times improper use of the term", Pope Benedict XVI said in a Message addressed to the president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa. The Pope recalls first of all that "this year is the centenary of the 1st Catholic Social Week held in Pistoia from the 23 to the 28 September 1907, at the initiative mainly of Prof. Giuseppe Toniolo, luminous figure of the Catholic layman, scientist and social apostle, protagonist of the Catholic Movement". Referring to the theme of the common good, Benedict XVI underlines: "In the past, and still more today in these times of globalisation, the common good must be considered and promoted also in the context of international relations and it is clear that, precisely because of the social foundation of human existence, the good of each person is naturally connected with the good of the whole of humanity".

The Pope mentions his Encyclical Deus caritas est to reaffirm that "to work to promote just order in society is the immediate task proper to the lay faithful . . . to act in the political field to build a just order in Italian society is the immediate task, not of the Church as such, but of her lay members. To this most important duty they must dedicate themselves with generosity and courage, illuminated by the faith and the teaching of the Church and driven by love for Christ". It was for this reason that Social Weeks for Italian Catholics were instituted and also in the future they can offer "a decisive contribution towards the formation and animation of Christianly inspired citizens".

The Holy Father's Message continues: "The daily chronicle reveals that society of our day faces many ethic and social emergencies which can undermine its stability and seriously jeopardise its future. Most topical is the anthropological question, which includes respect for human life and attention for the needs of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman. As it has been said many times, these principles and values are not only 'Catholic' they are common human values to be defended and safeguarded, like justice, peace and protection of the environment. What to say then about problems relative to work in relation to the family and young people? When precariousness of work prevents young people from forming their own family, the authentic and complete development of society is seriously undermined".

In the last part of the Message the Pope mentions "a specific ambit which also in Italy prompts Catholics to reflect: the ambit of the relation between religion and politics. The substantial novelty brought by Jesus is that He opened to way to a more human world of more freedom with full respect for the distinction and autonomy which exists between what is of Caesar and what is of God (cfr Mt 22, 21). The Church, therefore, if on the one hand acknowledges that she is not a political agent, on the other she cannot fail to give attention to the good of the whole civil community in which she lives and operates, and offer her special contribution forming political and entrepreneurial classes in a genuine spirit of truth and honesty, in the quest for the common good rather than personal profit." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 19/10/2007; righe 40, parole 582)

See the Pope's message in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=914

19 October 2007 — Audience to the Bishops of Congo on ad limina visit

VATICAN — "Ethnic and social differences lived in a spirit of reciprocal respect and love, become a common enrichment rather than a motive for division": Benedict XVI addresses Bishops of Congo on ad limina visit Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "May our meeting, expression of communion with the Successor of St Peter, be a source of ever more intense communion among yourselves and among your diocesan Churches, filling you with confidence and encouraging you to persevere in the proclamation of the Gospel": this was the wish expressed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI when he received in audience the Bishops of Congo on Friday 19 October on the occasion of their ad limina visit to Rome.

The Holy Father sent greetings to the priests, deacons, men and women religious, catechists and lay faithful of the respective dioceses, "who have frequently manifested their love for Christ and their solidarity with their brothers and sisters at difficult moments of the country's recent history" and he urged them to be "tireless artificers of justice and peace". Recalling that the Bishops' Conference continues to work to promote peace and national reconciliation, the Pope called on "Christians and all citizens to open paths to reconciliation so that ethnic and social differences, lived in a spirit of reciprocal respect and love, become a common enrichment rather than a motive for division".

The Pope said the Bishops' five-yearly reports underline "the urgency to develop authentic missionary dynamism" in the local Churches. "To evangelise in truth and in depth, it is necessary to be ever more faithful and credible witnesses to Christ — said Benedict XVI —. This is your eminent responsibility. Always be 'men of God' present in your dioceses close to your priests, concerned primarily for the proclamation of the Gospel, drawing from your intimate relationship with Christ the power to weave ever tighter bonds of fraternity and unity among yourselves and with everyone". The Bishops' Conference is called to be a "privileged place of communion and of fraternal life and concerted on common programmes".

Pastoral commitment concerns the "living ecclesial communities", which are "concrete environments of Gospel announcement and the exercise of charity", and they form "a powerful stronghold against religious sects". The Holy Father urged the Bishops to "give special attention to the initial and ongoing formation of the faithful, so they may be familiar with the Christian mystery and live of it, sustained by the reading of Holy Scripture and Sacramental life", and be ever more active in society. Those involved in the formation of the laity, for example catechists and their families, must have access to adequate formation "in order to fulfil their important mission".

The Holy Father asked the Bishops to encourage their priests on the Pope's behalf: "It is up to you to sustain them, to encourage them to live in full communion with you and in a real spirit of service to Christ and to the Christian community, to lead an ever more worthy and holy existence, founded on profound spiritual life and affective maturity lived in celibacy through which they offer, with the grace of the Spirit and through free response of their will, the totality of their love and their concern for Jesus Christ and his Church". The Pope called on the many Congolese priests outside their country to "consider seriously the pastoral needs of their dioceses" and make "the necessary decisions to respond to the pressing appeals of their diocesan Churches".

The Pope ended his address sharing the Bishops' concern for "considerable decrease in the number of canonical marriages" and consequent weakening of the family, calling for pastoral reflection "to promote the dignity of Christian matrimony, reflection and realisation of Christ's love for his Church" and to help couples "to acquire the human and spiritual maturity necessary to assume with responsibility the mission of Christian spouses and parents". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007; righe 47, parole 640)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7977

21 October 2007 — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — Angelus — Homily during the celebration of Mass in Piazza del Plebiscito

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — "The power, which in silence and without clamour changes the world and transforms it into the Kingdom of God, is faith, and the expression of this faith is prayer . . . The Church's mission is to nourish continually the faith and hope of the Christian people" Naples (Agenzia Fides) — On Sunday 21 October the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, made a pastoral visit to Naples. On his arrival at the Stazione Marittima, at the Port of Naples the Pope was welcomed by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Archbishop of Naples, the auxiliary Bishops and civil and military authorities and then he went to Piazza del Plebiscito to preside a concelebration of the Eucharist. "With great joy I accepted the invitation to visit the Christian community in this historic city of Naples — the Pope said as he began his homily —. "First of all I greet your Archbishop Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, with a fraternal embrace and a special thanks for the words addressed to be on your behalf at the beginning of this solemn Eucharistic concelebration. I sent him to your community well aware of his apostolic zeal and I am happy to see that you appreciate him for his gifts of mind and heart . . . I greet the entire family of believers and all the citizens of Naples: I have come dear friends to share with you the Word and Bread of Life ".

The Pope then recalled the theme of the Sunday readings — "to pray incessantly and untiringly" — underlining that "at first glance this message could appear not very pertinent and little incisive compared with a social reality with many problems" such as that of Naples, he continued: "But, on reflection, we realise that this Word contains a message, certainly counter current, destined nevertheless to illuminate in profundity the conscience of this Church of yours and this city of yours. I would summarise it like this: The power, which in silence and without clamour changes the world and transforms it into the Kingdom of God, is faith, and the expression of this faith is prayer . . . It is prayer which keeps the torch of faith burning . . . Today we wish to say once again together with humble courage: Lord, may your coming among us in this Sunday liturgy find us gathered with the lamp of faith burning. We believe and we trust in you! Increase our faith!"

Returning to the Sunday readings, Benedict XVI underlined that the "widow in the Gospel (cfr Lk 18,1-8) makes us think of the 'least and little ones', but also of many simple and upright persons who are overwhelmed, they feel helpless in the face of persistent social unrest and are tempted to lose courage. To these people Jesus says: look at this poor widow and how tenaciously she insists and in the end in listened to by the dishonest judge! How could you doubt that your good and faithful heavenly Father who desires only the good of His children, will not do justice when the time comes? Faith assures us that God listens to our prayer and answers at the opportune time, even thought our daily experience would appear to deny this certainty . . . God cannot change things without our conversion, and our real conversion begins with the 'cry' from the soul which implore forgiveness and salvation. Therefore Christian prayer is not an expression of fatalism and inertia, indeed it is quite the opposite of evasion from reality, consolatory intimism: it is the power of hope, maximum expression of faith in the power of God who is love and who never leaves us alone". The First Reading tells of how battles between the Israelites and the Amalekites (cfr Es 17,8-13a) were settled by prayer: "while Joshua and his men faced the adversaries in the field, Moses was on the hill top with his hand raised in the position of a person in prayer. The raised hands of the great leader guaranteed victory for Israel. God was with his people, he wanted it to win, but he conditioned his intervention on the raised hands of Moses". Addressing the Bishops and clergy of Naples the Pope urged them to persevere like Moses in prayer for the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care, "so that together your may face every day the good battle of the Gospel".

Returning to the reality of Naples, Benedict XVI affirmed "not lacking are many healthy energies, good people, culturally prepared and with a keen sense of the family" however, "many too are the situations of poverty, lack of housing, unemployment, under employment, absence of future prospects" to which must be added the sad phenomenon of violence, which "is becoming a diffused mentality". "How important it is then — the Holy Father said — to intensify efforts for a serious strategy of prevention, which focuses on the school, work and helping young people to make good use of their free time. What is needed is an intervention which involves everyone in the fight against all forms of violence, starting with the formation of consciences and transforming mentalities and attitudes and daily behaviour".

Lastly Pope Benedict XVI recalled the two visits John Paul II made to Naples in 1979 and 1990, and how on that occasion he foster new hope. "The Church's mission is to nourish the faith and the hope of the Christian people — Pope Benedict XVI said. And this is what your Archbishop is doing with apostolic zeal and who recently addressed to you a Pastoral Letter with the title: "Blood and Hope. Yes, true hope is born only of the blood of Christ and from blood shed for Him. There is blood which is a sign of death; but there is blood which expresses love and life: the blood of Jesus and of the Martyrs, like that of your beloved Patron Saint Gennaro, is a source of new life". Pope Benedict XVI concluded his homily urging those present to pray "that the Lord may help the Christian community grow in authentic faith and firm hope, to effectively counter discouragement and violence". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007; righe 63, parole 942)

See the Pope's homily in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7982

21 October 2007 — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — Angelus

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — "Today we pray in a special way for missionaries. May we never fail to offer spiritual and material help to those working on the frontiers of mission"

Naples (Agenzia Fides) — Before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer on Sunday 21 October at the end of Mass celebrated in Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Pope Benedict XVI thanked those present, "dear Neapolitan friends", for the warm welcome. He then greeted delegations from all over the world in Naples to take part in an International Meeting for Peace promoted by the S. Egidio Community on the theme: "For a world without violence — Religions and Cultures in Dialogue". "May this important cultural and religious initiative help consolidate peace in the world" said the Pope and then, mentioning that it was World Mission Sunday he continued: "Today we pray in a special way for missionaries. We celebrate World Mission Sunday which has a most significant motto this year: "All the Churches for all the world". Each particular Church is responsible for the evangelisation of all humanity and this cooperation among the Churches was intensified by Pope Pius XII with the Encyclical Fidei donum, 50 years ago. May we never fail to offer spiritual and material help to those working on the frontiers of mission: priests, religious and lay men and women who not rarely encounter in their work serious difficulties and even persecution."

Lastly the Pope entrusted these intentions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, "whom we love to invoke in this month of October with the title with which she is venerated at the nearby Shrine of Pompei: Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary". To Mary Pope Benedict XVI entrusted numerous migrants who had come on pilgrimage to Naples from Caserta, and all those who in different ways, "work to promote the common good and a just social order, as it was rightly underlined at the 45th Social Week for Italian Catholics, held in the past week in Pistoia and Pisa". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007; righe 21, parole 290)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20071021_napoli_en.html

21 October 2007 — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — Address at International Meeting for Peace

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI in Naples — "With respect for the differences of the various religions, we are all called to work for peace and to concrete commitment to promote reconciliation among peoples" — Naples (Agenzia Fides) — In Naples on Sunday 21 October after the Mass in Piazza del Plebiscito, Pope Benedict XVI went to the Aula Magna of the Archdiocesan Seminary at Capodimonte, where he greeted the leaders of Delegations in Naples for the International Meeting for Peace promoted by the S. Egidio, being held in Naples 21 to 23 October on the theme: "For a world without violence — Religions and Cultures in Dialogue". After expressing his appreciation to the host of the Meeting Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe and the archdiocese of a Naples, and to the S. Egidio Community "which devotes itself to promoting dialogue between religions and cultures", Benedict XVI recalled the Meetings convoked by John Paul II in Assisi, in 1986 and in 2002: leading representatives of various religions were invited to pray for peace, "underlining on that occasion the intrinsic bond which unites authentic religious attitude and keen sensibility for this fundamental good of humanity".

Pope Benedict XVI continued: "With respect for the differences of the various religions, we are all called to work for peace and to concrete commitment to promote reconciliation among peoples". This is the authentic "spirit of Assisi", which is contrary to any form of violence and the abuse f religion as a pretext for violence. In the face of a world lacerated by conflicts, in which at times violence is justified in God's name, it is important to reaffirm that religions can never become channels of hatred; never invoking the name of God, can one reach the point of justifying evil and violence. On the contrary, religions can and must offer precious resources to build a peaceful humanity, because they speak of peace to the human heart. The Catholic Church intends to continue along the path of dialogue to foster understanding between the different cultures, traditions and religious learning. I sincerely hope this spirit may spread especially where tensions are strongest, where freedom and respect for others are denied and men and women suffer the consequences of intolerance and misunderstanding."

Expressing the wish "that these days of work and listening may be fruitful for all", the Holy Father concluded "May the Eternal God pour out on the participants at the Meeting His blessings, wisdom and love in abundance. May He free the hearts of men from all hatred and all root of violence and render us all artificers of the civilisation of love."

The Holy Father then lunched with the Cardinals, the Bishops of the Campania Region, the participants at the S. Egidio Meeting and his entourage. In the afternoon the Pope went to Naples Cathedral to pray at the chapel of Saint Gennaro before returning by helicopter to the Vatican. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2007; righe 32, parole 476)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071021_incontro-napoli_en.html

24 October 2007 — General Audience

VATICAN — Benedict XVI dedicates general audience to Saint Ambrose: "From the life and the example of Bishop Ambrose, Augustine learned to believe and to preach" — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The life and witness of the holy Bishop of Milan, Ambrose who died at dawn on Holy Saturday 4 April in the year 397, was the theme of the catechesis given by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI during his general Wednesday Audience in St Peter's Square on 24 October. Born to Christian parents around the year 340 a Trier, the son of the Prefect of Gaul, Ambrose was taken to Rome on the death of his father and trained for a civil career with sound instruction in rhetoric and law. In about the year 370 he was sent to govern the provinces of Emilia and Liguria with his see in Milan. "Precisely there, Orthodox and Arians were arguing — the Pope recalled in his catechesis —, especially following the death of the Arian Bishop Aussenzius. Ambrose intervened to restore peace among the conflicting factions and his authority was such that he, a simple catechumen, was proclaimed Bishop of Milan by the people. Until then Ambrose had been the highest magistrate in the Empire in northern Italy. Culturally educated, but lacking an approach to Sacred Scripture, the new Bishop began to study with readiness".

Ambrose "came to know and comment the Bible thanks to the works of Origen, unquestioned maestro of the "Alexandrian school. In this way Ambrose transferred into the Latin environment, meditation on Scripture initiated by Origen, starting in the West, the practice of lectio divina. The method of lectio soon guided all the sermons and writings of Ambrose, which flowed precisely from prayerful listening to the Word of God". In one of Ambrose's catechesis we see how the holy Bishop applied the Old Testament to the Christian life, so that his preaching "started from the reading of the Holy Books ('the Patriarchs', that is the historical books, and 'Proverbs', Books of wisdom), in order to live in conformity with divine Revelation".

Augustine, who arrived in Milan as a professor of rhetoric, was led to conversion by the "testimony of the Bishop of Milan and his Church which prayed and sang, compact, as one body . . . From the life and the example of Bishop Ambrose, Augustine learned to believe and to preach". Saint Augustine acquired from Ambrose "the habit of assiduous reading of Sacred Scripture in an attitude of prayer, in such a way as to truly accept and assimilate the Word of God in his heart". In his book 'Confessions' Augustine speaks of his encounter with Ambrose: "when he went to see the Bishop of Milan, he nearly always found him busy listening to 'hordes' of people with many necessities which he did his best to meet. There was always a long line of people waiting to speak with Ambrose to receive words of consolation and hope. When Ambrose was not with them, with the people, and this happened only for brief periods of time, he was either restoring the body with the necessary food, or nourishing the spirit with reading." Augustine was struck by Ambrose's "singular capacity for reading and familiarising with the Scriptures", which was then the basic principle of Ambrosian catechesis: "it is Scripture itself, intimately assimilated, which suggests the contents to announce in order to lead hearts to conversion. Thus, according to the teaching of Ambrose and Augustine, catechesis is inseparable from testimony of life. What I wrote in the Introduction to Christianity, with regard to the theologian, is also valid for the catechist. A person who educates to the faith cannot run the risk of appearing like some sort of clown, reciting a part «doing a job». Instead — to use an image dear to Origen, a writer particularly appreciated by Ambrose — he must be like the disciple Jesus loved, who rested his head on the Master's heart and there learned to think, speak and act. All told, the true disciple is one who announces the Gospel in a most credible and effective manner."

The Holy Father concluded his catechesis recalling that, like St John the Apostle, Saint Ambrose never tired of saying: "Omnia Christus est nobis! For us Christ is everything!". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2007 — righe 44, parole 647)

See the Pope's teaching
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7850

25 October 2007 — Address to students of Pontifical Universities for new academic year

VATICAN — Benedict XVI addresses students at Pontifical Universities in Rome: "The whole culture of man today must be imbued with the Gospel" — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — On the occasion of a Mass in St Peter's Basilica for the inauguration of the new Academic Year 2007-2008, on Thursday 25 October Pope Benedict XVI addressed thousands of students from all over the world who are in Rome to attend Pontifical Ecclesiastic Universities here in Rome. At the end of the Mass presided by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education the Pope went into the Basilica to address the student and teachers.

"The time spent in Rome can and should help prepare you to carry out in the best possible manner the task awaiting you in different fields of apostolic activity — the Pope said among other things —. The evangelising mission proper to the Church demands, in our day, not only for the Message of the Gospel to be spread everywhere but for it to penetrate deeply into ways of thinking, criteria for personal judgement and behaviour. In a word, the whole culture of man today must be imbued with the Gospel". (C. E.) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2007; righe 12, parole 170)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2007/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20071025_univ-pontificie_en.html

26 October 2007 — Audience to Bishops of Gabon on their ad limina visit

VATICAN — The Pope receives the Bishops of Gabon: "In your ministry with the living forces of your dioceses, you are called to develop, ever more organic diocesan and national pastoral care. The deeper communion among you and all Catholics, the stronger and more effective evangelisation"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "In your ministry with the living forces of your dioceses, you are called to develop, ever more organic diocesan and national pastoral care. At the same time you must organise more appropriately your Bishops' Conference, in your meetings and in the necessary structures to be opened to assist you. The deeper communion among you and all Catholics, the stronger and more effective evangelisation". Pope Benedict XVI said this to the Bishops of Gabon, whom he received for their ad limina visit on 26 September.

"The people of Gabon — the Pope said — tend to be drawn by a society of consumerism and permissiveness, giving consequently less attention to the poor people of their country. I encourage them to grow in a sense of brotherhood and solidarity. There is also a certain relaxation in the life of Christians, taken by the seductions of the world. I hope their conduct will be ever more exemplary with regard to spiritual and moral values". Among the priorities for the Church in Gabon, the Pope mentioned the handing on of the faith and a deeper understanding of the Christian mystery, underlining the necessity to guarantee the faithful effective and profound formation. To reach this goal the Holy Father encouraged the Bishops to prepare "priests and lay people with this capacity. In this way your ecclesial communities will be every more vibrant and the faithful will draw from the liturgy, from personal, family and community prayer, the strength to be, in every environment of life witnesses to the Good News, artificers of reconciliation, justice and peace, of which the world is increasingly in need". Special attention must be given to young people: "May all Christians, parents especially work to lead young people to open the hearts to Christ and to follow Him!. . . I hope your young people will not be afraid to be the first evangelisers among young people of their age. It is often thanks to friendship and sharing that the latter come to discover and love the person of Christ."

Since vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are still scarce in Gabon, Benedict XVI underlined that the issue of a seminary in Libreville, must be "given special attention because the future of evangelisation and the Church are at stake; it will also stimulate the development and intensification of vocations pastoral in every diocese". The Pope then called for the mobilisation of priests, religious and families so that "through prayer, accompaniment for the very young, concern for the handing on of Christ's", they may nurture vocations. For this objective "Catholic education must not be forgotten". Benedict XVI recalled the important work of missionaries: "With you I wish to thank all the men and women missionaries who enabled your country to receive the seed of the Gospel. May they be thanked for what they have done and what they continue to do with fidelity in collaboration with the Bishops of Gabon!"

The Pope's final thought was for the priests of Gabon Papa, "to whose generous ministry I render homage. By living incessantly in intimate communion with Christ, they will have a keener awareness of the demand to be faithful to commitments taken before God and before the Church, in particular obedience and chastity in celibacy . . . I urge every priest to strive first of all for the good of the Church rather than personal advantage, conforming his life and mission to the gesture of the washing of feet. This love lived from a viewpoint of disinterested service will give rise to deep joy." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2007; righe 41, parole 613)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7978

27 October 2007 — Letter to new editor of the Osservatore Romano, Prof. Giovanni Maria Vian

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI sends a letter to the new editor of the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano: "Seeking and creating occasions of comparison, the Osservatore Romano will serve the Holy See demonstrating the fecundity of the encounter of faith and reason, which renders possible cordial collaboration between believers and non believers" — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI sent a letter to the new editor of the Osservatore Romano, Prof. Giovanni Maria Vian, the day he assumed his new responsibility. On the Letter, dated 27 October 2007, the Pope underlines Prof. Vian's "extensive cultural formation as an historian of Christianity . . . and especially your knowledge of the modern day papacy, your experience as a journalist and editorialist for various dailies and periodicals, decades of collaboration with the Osservatore Romano, and the son of an illustrious family of great Christian tradition and faithful service to the Holy See", motives "constitute a guarantee for a delicate task" entrusted to him.

The Pope recalls "the long and great history of "the Pope's newspaper", started in 1861 "to sustain the freedom of the Holy See at a critical and providential moment of its history". Since then the newspaper "had diffused the teachings of the Roman Pontiffs, interventions of his closest collaborators on crucial issues encountered by humanity on its journey". The publication of weekly editions in different languages underlines the global dimension of the Osservatore Romano, "which will become ever more concrete and effective with the possibilities offered today by its presence on the Internet. The Message emphasises that "this is most important in order to really express the reality of the universal Church, communion among all local Churches deeply rooted in different situations, in a context of an attitude of sincere friendship towards the men and women of our day".

Lastly Benedict XVI indicates the prospects of the Vatican newspaper: "Seeking and creating occasions of comparison, the Osservatore Romano will serve the Holy See demonstrating the fecundity of the encounter of faith and reason, which renders possible cordial collaboration between believers and non believers". Its fundamental task obviously as always is to foster in the cultures of our times trustful and profoundly reasonable openness to the Transcendent which, in ultimate instance, is the foundation of respect for the dignity and the authentic freedom of every human person". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2007; righe 26, parole 356)

See letter in English
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20071027_osservatore-romano_en.html

27 October 2007 — Address after a Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir concert

VATICAN — "True joy lies in the freedom that only God can give" Pope Benedict XVI remarks at the end of a Concert given in his honour by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — In the afternoon 27 October in the Paul VI in the Vatican, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir gave a concert in honour of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. After listening to Beethoven's 9th Symphony the Pope expressed his thanks to those who helped to organise the concert, and dwelt briefly on the origin of this particular composition.

"After years of self-isolation and a withdrawn life — the Pope said in his address —, now totally deaf, in 1824 the composer astonishes the public with a composition which breaks with the traditional form of symphony and, in cooperation of orchestra, choir soloists, and rises to a marvellous finale of optimism and joy . . . . an overwhelming sentiment of joy transformed here into music is not something light or superficial: it is a sentiment conquered with fatigue, overcoming the inner void of a man pushed into isolation by deafness . . . however silent solitude had taught Beethoven a new way of listening which went much further than the simple capacity of experiencing which are read or written in the imagination notes. There comes to mind, in this context, a mysterious expression of the Prophet Isaiah, when he said speaking of the triumph of the truth and law: "On that day the deaf will hear the words in a book [that is words only written]; freed from darkness and shadows, the eyes of the blind will see" (cfr 29, 18-24). This is a reference to a capacity of perception given to those who obtain from God the grace of an inward and exterior freedom".

Benedict XVI then recalled that on the occasion "fall of the Wall", in 1989, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra performed the same symphony changing the words "Ode to Joy" in "Freedom, a beautiful spark of God", and he underlined: "they expressed more than the simply sentiment of the historical moment: true joy lies in that freedom that only God can give. At times precisely through periods of emptiness and inward isolation, He enables us to "hear" la is silent presence not only "above the starry sky", but in the depths of our soul, where burns the spark of God's love which can free us to be what we truly are." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2007; righe 26, parole 391)

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=7980

28 October 2007 — Angelus

VATICAN — "The inscription in the Register of the Blessed of such a great number of Martyrs at the same time is a demonstration that the supreme witness of bloodshed is not an exception reserved for a few, it is a realistic possibility for the whole Christian people": Pope Benedict XVI at the Angelus recalls the Beatification of 498 Spanish martyrs of the 20th century — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — "The shining witness given by Spain's martyrs" and "the silent heroic witness of many Christians who live the Gospel without compromise" were mentioned by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 28 October before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with numerous visitors gathered in St Peter's Square, including thousands of Spanish pilgrims who had come to take part in the Mass for the Beatification of 498 Spaniards martyred in Spain in the 20th century. The Liturgy was presided by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. "The inscription in the Register of the Blessed of such a great number of Martyrs at the same time — the Pope said at the Angelus — is a demonstration that the supreme witness of bloodshed is not an exception reserved for a few, it is a realistic possibility for the whole Christian people. In fact these were men and women of different ages, vocations and social conditions who gave their life for the fidelity to Christ and to his Church."

Pope Benedict XVI continued "the month of October, dedicated in a special way to missionary efforts, closes in this way with a shining witness of these Spanish martyrs who join martyrs Albertina Berkenbrock, Emmanuel Gómez Gonzáles and Adilio Daronch, and Franz Jägerstätter, Beatified recently in Brazil and in Austria. May their example be a witness that Baptism impels all Christians to participate with courage in the work of spreading the Kingdom of God, cooperating if necessary offering the sacrifice of their very life". However not everyone is called to a bloody martyrdom, there exists also a bloodless "martyrdom" the "the silent heroic witness of many Christians who live the Gospel without compromise, carrying out their duty dedicating themselves generously to the service of the poor". As an example of this martyrdom the Holy Father recalled Celina Chludzinska Borzzcka, mother, a widow and a women religious, beatified the day before in Rome. "This martyrdom of everyday life is a most important testimony in the secularised society of our day — Pope Benedict XVI said —. This is the peaceful battle of love which every Christian, like Paul, is called to fight; until the day we die we are committed to the race to spread the Gospel".

Greeting visitors in different languages after the Angelus prayer the Pope said in Spanish to numerous Spanish priests, religious and lay people present for the Beatification: "We thank God for the great gift of these witnesses of the faith moved solely by love for Christ who paid with their blood their fidelity to Him and to the Church — the Pope said —. With their testimony they illuminate our spiritual path to holiness and encourage us to make our life an offering of love for God and our for our brothers and sisters. At the same time, by forgiving their persecutors in words and attitude, they urge us to work tirelessly to promote mercy, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2007 — righe 35, parole 407)

See the Pope's address
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20071028_en.html

29 October 2007 — Audience to International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists participants

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI addresses International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists: "We cannot anesthetize consciences as regards, for example, the effect of certain molecules that have the goal of preventing the implantation of the embryo or shortening a person's life. Pharmacists must seek to raise people's awareness . . ." — Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) — The "educational" role of pharmacists with regard to patients, to guide them to a correct use of medicines "is above all to make known the ethical implications of the use of certain drugs" the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI underlined on 29 October when he addressed participants at the 25th International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists on the theme: "The new frontiers of pharmaceutical activity.".

"In this field — said Benedict XVI —, we cannot anesthetize consciences as regards, for example, the effect of certain molecules that have the goal of preventing the implantation of the embryo or shortening a person's life. Pharmacists must seek to raise people's awareness so that all human beings are protected from conception to natural death, and so that medicines truly play a therapeutic role," the Pope said and stressed how "all attempts at cure or experimentation must be undertaken while bearing in mind the wellbeing of the person concerned, and not only the pursuit of scientific progress." He added, "the quest for the good of humanity cannot proceed at the expense of the wellbeing of the people being treated." . . . Benedict urged the pharmacists to consider conscientious objection a right that must be recognized for their profession, "so as to enable them not to collaborate directly or indirectly in supplying products that have clearly immoral purposes such as, for example, abortion or euthanasia."

The Pope recalled that the different pharmaceutical structures must promote solidarity in the field of therapy, "to guarantee access to treatment and drugs of prime necessity to all sectors of the public and in every country, especially to the poorest people". Catholic pharmacists should draw "from a life of faith and the teaching of the Church" elements to guide them in the profession to assist the sick, "in need of human and moral help to live in hope and find the inner resources which will help them day after day!" It is up to Catholic pharmacists to help young people entering the various pharmaceutical professions to "reflect on the increasingly delicate moral implications of their activity and decisions". Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholic healthcare professionals and all men and women of goodwill to "strive to be increasingly better informed not only at the technical level but also with regard to bio-ethical issues".

"The human person, created in the image of God. Must always be the centre of research and decisions in biomedical matters — the Pontiff concluded —. Biomedical sciences are at the service of man; otherwise they will be cold and inhuman. Scientific knowledge in the field of healthcare and therapeutic activity are at the service of the patient, considered in his or her whole being, who should take and active part in the treatment received and be respected in his or her autonomy". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2007; righe 34, parole 476)

See the Pope address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7981

31 October 2007 — General Audience

VATICAN —During his general audience, held this morning in a rainy St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 faithful, Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis to the figure of St. Maximus of Turin.

Maximus became bishop of that Italian city in the year 398 just as it was being threatened by various barbarian tribes which had entered Italy through the eastern passes and pushed as far as the western Alps. Turin was protected by a military garrison and served as a safe haven for people fleeing rural areas.

Faced with such a situation the activities of Maximus, author of around 90 sermons, "bear witness to his commitment to react to the degradation and break-up" of civil society, said the Pope. The bishop censured the faithful when they sought to turn another's disadvantage to their own benefit, thus highlighting "the profound relationship between a person's duties as a Christian and as a citizen." And Maximus was concerned "not only with people's traditional love for their hometown" but also proclaimed "the specific duty of paying taxes."

A historical and literary analysis of the figure of St. Maximus, said the Pope, "demonstrates his growing awareness of the political responsibility of the ecclesiastical authorities at a time in which they were, in effect, substituting civil authority."

"It is clear that today's historical, cultural and social context is completely different," the Holy Father went on, "but in any case, ... the duties of believers towards their city and their homeland remain the same. The link between the obligations of the 'honest citizen' and those of the 'good Christian' has not changed in the least."

In this context, Pope Benedict then went on to refer to the Vatican Council II Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et spes" which had the aim "of illuminating one of the most important aspects of the unity of Christian life: coherence between faith and life, between Gospel and culture."

Vatican Council II, he concluded, "exhorts Christians, as citizens of two cities, to strive to discharge their earthly duties conscientiously and in response to the Gospel spirit. They are mistaken who, knowing that we have here no abiding city but seek one which is to come, think that they may therefore shirk their earthly responsibilities. For they are forgetting that by the faith itself they are more obliged than ever to measure up to these duties, each according to his proper vocation."

See the Pope's address in English
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7884&repos=1&subrepos=&searchid=159210

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